Justice Kithcart had 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range, for ODU. The Monarchs (18-6, 8-3 Conference USA), who have won seven of their last eight, lead North Texas by a half-game in the conference standings.

Stith capped a 15-6 run with a 3-pointer to give ODU a 50-45 lead with 12 ½ minutes to play. Martin made a layup and then hit a 3 to pull the Owls within one about nine minutes later but Kithcart answered with a 3 from the left corner and, after Rice air balled a 3, Ahmad Caver made a short jumper to make it 72-66 with 2:24 to play. Rice trimmed its deficit to four on three occasions in the final 60 seconds but got no closer.